Town of Warwick
Selectboard
February 3, 2014
Minutes
Members present: Dawn Magi, Nick Arguimbau, Patricia Lemon
Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary Rosa
Fratangelo Calcari, Police Chief David Shoemaker, Jon Calcari, Paula
Lundgren Robinson (Athol Daily News)
I. Call to Order
Chair Magi called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm in Town Hall.
Public Comment
None.
Minutes
Lemon pointed out that when Arguimbau has time to figure out how he
thinks the October 15 minutes should be corrected, the correction can be
put into the minutes of the meeting when he presents it. In the
meantime,
Lemon MOVED to approve the minutes of October 15, 2013, January 21, 2014
and January 27, 2014. Arguimbau SECONDED for the minutes of January 21,
2014 and January27, 2014 only. Magi SECONDED for the minutes of October
15, 2013. Motion CARRIED by a vote of 3-0-0 for the January 21, 2014 and
January 27, 2014 minutes. Motion CARRIED 2-0-1 for the minutes of
October 15, 2013. Lemon and Magi: AYE; Arguimbau Abstained.
Fratangelo Calcari asked that, in future, Selectmen give her their
corrections in a timely manner, so this situation does not arise.
IV. Presentations and Discussions
1. Broadband Update--Young said that the hearing had been held and the
permit had been granted for completion of the fiber lateral to Mt. Grace
tower. He said that Assessors Clerk Beth Gilgun had checked and that the
permit had been issued and recorded at the Registry of Deeds. Young said
that there is s similar middle mile project in New Hampshire and that he
had called AccessPlus today to obtain more bandwidth for WBS. He noted
that lack of sufficient bandwidth has caused a bottleneck on our system.
He said that the next step would be to move people off of the 900 MgH
system and onto a faster radio spectrum.
2. Soltas Net Metering Agreement Report --Young said that he had
hosted a meeting with Soltas, which was also attended by our Buildings
and Energy Committee member Janice Kurkoski, Linda from the B&E
Committee in Petersham, two representatives from our current supplier
the Hampshire COG/Hampshire Power, and Hal Gilum of Athol from Pequoig.
Young explained that Soltas had oversold the Adams Farm project. The
Pequoig deal we signed gave us credited net metering with no
distribution or transmission charges. However, the restructured deal now
offers a 20% discount whereby we purchase credits for 80 cents on the
dollar. Young said that we need more but he does not have a figure in
mind at this point. He said that Soltas expects to deliver power to us
from a source other than Adams Farm by April or May of this year. Young
noted that we have good partners in this issue.
3. Status of MassWorks STRAP Grant--Young said that we don't have
written confirmation yet, but Larry Delaney had been given additional
verbal confirmation that we are getting a STRAP grant award. Apparently
the letters have not yet been mailed. Young said that our match would be
about $50,000.00 in Chapter 90 funds, and that the STRAP grant award is
around $490,000.00.
4. Natural Gas Pipeline Update --Young said that he had met with
Tennessee gas Company's land agent and that he got the proposed route
for the pipeline. He showed the map to each Board member. Young said
that there were 20-something properties involved, along with a great
deal of state land. He said that the next step would be for the company
to have someone walk and mark the route in the spring. After that they
would come before the Board to request permission for test soil borings.
Young said that the proposed pipeline would start in Albany, end in
Boston and that the gas carried by the pipeline would be in gas, and not
in liquid, form. He noted that the State Legislature would also have to
vote to approve the project, and that the entire process, even if
successful, could not begin construction for several years.
5. Pioneer Yearbook--Young said that we have signed up again this year
for a half-page ad congratulating the Class of 2014. He said that the ad
will contain photographs of the Town's four graduating seniors.
6. WCS Roof Statement of Interest--Young said that PVRSD Assistant
Superintendent Gail Healy has been working on our behalf to submit yet
another application for financial assistance from the MSBA for the WCS
roof. In his estimation our chances for success are low. Young said that
the Buildings and Energy Committee does not want the gym roof replaced
yet, as its thermal boundary issues need to be addressed first so as to
eliminate the serious heat loss. Young noted that the gym roof is not
leaking, so holding off is possible. Young estimated that the total roof
replacement would cost between $130,000.00 and $135,000.00.
7. Local Aid Projections--Young said that the Governor's proposed FY
15 budget has the Town at almost the same as last year. He explained
that the small apparent increase is actually a reimbursement for
Veterans' benefits.
8. Selectboard Reports--Lemon said that the Costume Ball was a great
success, and noted that people came from as far away as Newton.
9. Coordinator Report--Young asked Police Chief Shoemaker to speak, as
he had inadvertently left his report off of the agenda. The Chief said
that there were several more investigations being conducted and that
patrols were increased, but all within the budget. Lemon asked him if he
had heard anything about upcoming meetings of the Public Safety Building
Committee, to which he replied that he had not. Young suggested that
some issues could be addressed and permits sought even before the final
plans are done. He said that the Board of Health could be contacted for
the water and septic issues with the Board of Health, and the Highway
Superintendent for driveway matters, and access to the building. Chief
Shoemaker said that he would follow up with Fire Chief Ron Gates, and
indicated that he would be willing to start on some of the preliminary
work on the permits.
10. Selectboard Reports Continued--Magi said that she attended a FRCOG
meeting last week, and that a budget of $3,261,734.00 had been passed.
Magi said that this included a level-funded service budget and a 1.5%
COLA for FRCOG staff. She said that she had a copy of the budget if
anyone wanted to review it.
Magi also mentioned two upcoming FRCOG meetings: Wednesday, February
19 on Financial Skills for Selectboards and Thursday, March 20 on
Transportation Funding. Magi expressed interest in attending both.
11. New and Other Items Not Reasonably Anticipated Prior to
Posting--None.
V. Adjournment
At 6:48 pm, Lemon MOVED to adjourn the meeting. Arguimbau SECONDED.
Motion CARRIED 3-0-0.
Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari